Great news! HIP Housing has found a new home at 111 E. 5th Avenue in San Mateo.

In an exciting move that solidifies it as a premier San Mateo County Anchor Institution, HIP Housing has purchased, debt-free, a permanent home for its programs and administration!

Welcome to 111 E. 5th Avenue, San Mateo, CA

Now it’s on to raising funds to get the building ready for HIP Housing’s programs and our move in! Your support today is instrumental to HIP Housing permanence for tomorrow.

For more information about how you can help support the future of HIP Housing,
please contact Sabrina Longega Wilson at (650) 348-6660, Ext. 310. or email capitalcampaign@hiphousing.org

Why 111 E. 5th?

HIP Housing has always prioritized excellent programs that are responsive to the needs of San Mateo County.

Now, creating trauma-informed, healthy spaces where clients can overcome trauma and staff can feel safe and supported in their mental health is also a critical priority.

Owning 111 E. 5th Avenue allows HIP Housing to operationalize our commitment to supporting mental health and wellness.

It is also key to our vision of ensuring that anyone who walks through our doors has the greatest possibility of finding housing they can afford, in a trauma-informed environment that meets them where they are. 

What’s Next?

It’s on to renovation!

Funds raised from this capital campaign will implement the critical improvements needed to operationalize HIP Housing’s long-term programmatic and staffing needs.

Examples of the improvements include creating ADA-accessible bathrooms and entrances, bringing the stairwell to code, and replacing the aged HVAC system and unhealthy ceiling tiles. Other improvements include replacing fixtures and amenities with energy-efficient, healthy versions and incorporating trauma-informed designed meeting spaces to maximize the mental health benefits for all our clients and staff.

These improvements will not only strengthen our programs and services but will also be instrumental to a Culture of Wellness that facilitates a healthier, more resilient San Mateo County.

Who will
Benefit?

Seniors, families, and low-wage workers will all benefit from 111 E. 5th Avenue.

Not only is it extremely close to transit including bus lines, CalTrain and local freeways, it also provides a wonderful footprint for program expansion with an emphasis on wellness.

Ninety percent of our clients have experienced the kind of trauma that impedes their ability to secure housing successfully.

Creating a trauma-sensitive environment is essential to wellness and to addressing the root causes of homelessness. It is a powerful tool for helping the thousands of people we serve each year.

Anchor Institution

Purchasing 111 E. 5th Avenue firmly establishes HIP Housing as a San Mateo County Anchor Institution.

Anchor institutions are nonprofits that own their buildings, and by extension, their destiny. It means our programs can flourish “anchored in place,” creating stability in both services and jobs.

Being an anchor institution is also a wise business decision.

Smart, agile nonprofits must find ways to be sustainable and self-reliant. We have to be smart and financially responsible.

Renting office space no longer makes sense for us. Owning 111 removes our rent burden and allows funds to be redirected where they are needed most – our unique and critical programs that help people to find and remain housed!

WHY THIS BUILDING?

LOCATION: Being in downtown San Mateo, it is centrally located within the County and is convenient for clients and staff.

ACCESS: It is extremely close to public transportation and services, with easy access to parking.

SIZE: At 7,500 square feet (sf) across two floors, it is 1,200 sf larger than our rented location and able to accommodate our current and future program and staffing needs.

PRICE: Thoughtful negotiations allowed us to purchase the building debt-free which is a critical component to our successful business model.

ADA: The building’s floorplan beautifully accommodates our ADA needs for entry, bathrooms, and elevators. By raising $1,500,000, we will be able to meet all our ADA and trauma informed space goals while remaining debt free.

TRAUMA INFORMED: The building streams with natural daylight throughout both floors, has multiple exit routes, easy access to outdoor spaces, and has an open floor plan with clear sightlines throughout. These are all critical components to trauma informed design and essential to a safe, healthy work environment that reduces client trauma responses and supports mental health for all.

MEETING SPACES: The building has meeting spaces that are being designed to accommodate both smaller and larger gatherings, essential to program, organizational and staff needs.

PROGRAMS: In addition to being open and welcoming, the open floor plan will facilitate cross-functional team collaboration, which is essential to our comprehensive housing services, and to ensure that whoever walks through our doors, has the greatest possibility of finding housing they can afford.